With the draft coming up this Thursday, we are taking a look at prospects the Brooklyn Nets might consider trading into the draft for.
Brooklyn does not have a pick in the draft but GM Billy King has said he is interested in trading into it if a player they like is available. Here is one player that could entice them to trade for a late first- or second-round pick.
RODNEY HOOD, SG, DUKE
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 208 pounds
The 411: Rodney Hood may have been overshadowed by potential No. 1 overall pick Jabari Parker at Duke. But Hood, 21, averaged 16.1 points and 42 percent shooting from behind the 3-point arc in his one season at Duke after transferring from Mississippi State. He has deep range but also a good mid-range game as well. He obviously brings size for a guard but needs to add strength and improve on defense.
Ford projection: ESPN draft insider Chad Ford has Hood projected as a mid-first-round pick.
Ford’s report: “June 4 update: Hood intrigued scouts with his versatility at the combine. He wants to be known as more than just a shooter, and playing in Parker's shadow at Duke all season didn't help his cause. He'll get a lot of workouts (with teams picking in the late lottery to mid-first round) against top talent to try to differentiate himself. Not sure I see him climbing much given the competition, but his size for the position does make him intriguing. I'd say his range right now starts with the Wolves at No. 13 and ends with the Rockets at No. 25.”
Why should the Nets trade to pick him: GM Billy King loves his Duke guys and had success with picking Mason Plumlee in the first round last year. If Hood were to drop to the late first round, perhaps King can trade with a team looking to get rid of a first-round pick. Jason Kidd likes shooters with size, which is something Hood certainly embodies. The Nets need a young scorer to develop and groom behind Joe Johnson. With LeBron James opting out of his contract, there’s no telling how that will impact the draft. Teams could try to trade players and picks to position themselves for James, perhaps creating an opportunity for the Nets to acquire a pick.